A hoped-for expansion of the Jefferson public library to bring it up to 21st Century expectations has encountered its first large challenge. A study of the fundraising potential for an expansion, completed by Amperage Marketing and Fundraising, shows the community has the potential to raise $3 million for the project. The price tag for the proposed project was $9.7 million in 2022.
Melissa Pence of Amperage presented the results of a library readiness study at the Feb. 11 Jefferson city council meeting. She presented the findings to the Jefferson library board of trustees and Friends of the Library board last week.
The library now has 8,000 square feet, including the 1903 two-story Carnegie building and the 1966 one-story addition. A needs assessment completed by professional library space planner George Lawson in 2018 recommended the library should have 23,000 square feet to meet the community’s existing and future needs.
Lawson’s study was followed by a feasibility study done by various community members and city/library staff, working with Franks Design Group in 2022. After looking at three options, the recommendation was to repurpose the Carnegie building as community meeting space, raze the 1966 building, and build a one-story structure to the west and north of the Carnegie building. Estimated cost then was $9.7 million.
The 2024 Amperage study included interviews with 39 people and surveys completed by 24 library trustees, Friends of the Library board members, and members of the 2022 feasibility study committee. The questions related to a $10 million project.
Fifty-six percent of those interviewed or surveyed said they were very receptive or receptive to a project to expand the library. Another 41 percent said they were “somewhat receptive” to the campaign.
Going further, 23 percent said they thought the community would be supportive or very supportive of the fundraising campaign. Fifty-nine percent said the community would be “somewhat supportive” of the campaign.
The study went on to attempt to identify potential donors for the campaign. Those results, compared to results in other studies Amperage has completed, led the company to determine the community could support a $3 million fundraising campaign at this time.
During a Q & A time after Pence’s presentation, city administrator Scott Peterson clarified the study referred only to what could be raised through donations. “I know we’ll have some discussion of grants and what-not. Grants would not be included in that $3 million,” he said.
Pence said she’s cautious in talking about grants at this time because programs are being cut.
According to a library press release, Amperage recommendations for the next steps in the expansion project include engaging a contractor to develop the expansion plan within the campaign fundraising goal; identifying grant opportunities; developing marketing materials; and hosting community meetings to highlight future library plans. Library director Jane Millard invites community members interested in the project visit the “Library Expansion Project” portion of the library’s website at www.jefferson.lib.ia.us or visit the library.
